How to Clean Jewelry

Have you discovered eHow? I found it when I was building my google home page, one of the many options now available with Google accounts. eHow.com is a website with clear, concise step-by-step instructions on thousands of topics. You can read eHow to learn how to tie a tie, unclog a sink, tango, wash your cat, or even throw a knuckleball. Here's an article on cleaning jewelry from eHow.com, with my own additions for Italian Charms:

----------------

Before cleaning your jewelry, examine it carefully to make sure that all settings, clasps and prongs are secure. Once you've done that, you're ready to proceed.

Gold, Platinum and Gemstones

Steps:

1. Use a nonabrasive jewelry cleaner, which you can purchase at a local jewelry store. Or use a cleaning solution of mild dish soap and water.
2. Dip the jewelry in the cleaner or cleaning solution.
3. Rinse in warm running water.
4. Buff dry with a soft, lint-free cloth until it's shiny.

Silver

Steps:

1. Clean the silver with a nonabrasive silver polish.
2. Apply the polish with a soft cloth, gently working it into stains.
3. Wipe away excess polish and buff the jewelry with a soft, lint-free cloth until it's shiny.
4. Keep in mind that frequently wearing silver jewelry can keep it from becoming tarnished.

You can view the rest of this page at:
http://www.ehow.com/how_3179_clean-jewelry.html

Italian Charms

Steps:

1. Examine any fancy or custom charms for signs of loose gems, enamel or damage to coatings. If you find any, do not clean, but get them repaired. StoryCharms offers free repairs up to one year after purchase of custom Photo Charms and can also repair or replace any other types of charm that have been damaged.
2. Clean the charms with a soft cloth, gently buffing to polish.
3. Remember that Italian Charms are only splashproof, never immerse them in water.